Erik ten Hag He will make major changes in the first few months of his reign at Old Trafford, with as many as 12 players set to leave the club this summer, according to reports.
It seems increasingly likely that Ten Hag will be appointed Manchester United’s permanent manager in the coming days.
The 52-year-old, who has been in charge of Eredivisie side Ajax since 2017, will sign a three- or four-year deal with the struggling Premier League, The Guardian says.
That report also suggests that Ten Hag has been given the final say on any transfer deals and with the team’s poor performance, rumors are already swirling around possible additions to the team.
Now, a list of arrivals and departures has emerged.
The Mirror reports that six players – Paul Pogba, Edinson Cavani, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard, Juan Mata and Lee Grant – are out of contract this summer and will therefore be leaving.
As well as the above, Ten Hag could also allow the likes of Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Phil Jones, Alex Telles, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Eric Bailly to walk away in an overhaul the likes of which we haven’t seen at Old Trafford in years. if ever.
So who will Ten Hag look to to strengthen his United squad?
According to the same report, United are said to be interested in England internationals Harry Kane and Declan Rice, although those transfers could wipe out the £200m transfer budget with ease.
More realistic and affordable options include Benfica striker Darwin Nunez, who has been in fine form for the Portuguese team this season, scoring 31 goals in 37 games in all competitions.
Wolves midfielder Ruben Neves, another name who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford in the past, is also mentioned in the report, as Ten Hag looks to strengthen key areas of the team.
All we know is that Erik ten Hag has a serious job on his hands if he decides to take the job at Old Trafford.
On Tuesday night, following the club’s embarrassing 4-0 defeat to Liverpool in the league, caretaker manager Ralf Rangnick admitted United were six years behind Jurgen Klopp’s men.
“Jurgen came in six years ago and if you compare the team he inherited, he came in after eight or nine games and finished eighth, this is where we are currently,” the former RB Leipzig manager said after full time.
“He had a 1.6 point average that season, but with every transfer window after that, they develop the kind of team we have today.”
Ralf Rangnick confirms Man United’s plans for a revolution in the summer: “There will be a rebuild here. Six, seven, maybe TEN new players will come.” 🔴 #MUFC
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 19, 2022
Any thoughts on the players who could leave Old Trafford this summer? Who should they sign?
Let us know in the comments.